Court stops interrogating Poroshenko, session to continue on Thursday

Oblonsky District Court of Kyiv has completed the questioning of Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko in the high treason case against former President Viktor Yanukovych, a recess in the cession until 10.00 on February 22 was announced.

An Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported that after a series of defense team's questions that were dismissed by Judge Vladyslav Deviatko, lawyer Vitaly Serdiuk asked about the winter holidays of the head of state.

"Why at the time when you were on winter vacations and no one knew where you were all week, no question of your removal from the post was not raised?" the defense lawyer asked the president.

In response, the judge said: "I beg the witness pardon. I guess I was right, the defenders intentionally ask the questions that have nothing to do with these criminal proceedings… I have to stop the interrogation."

Addressing the lawyer, the judge noted that the decision to stop Poroshenko's interrogation was caused by the actions of the defense team.